The Alaska Native Social Worker's Association (ANSWA)

Who are we?

The Alaska Native Social Worker’s Association is a group dedicated to community service and enriching the lives of social work students. The group works towards improving community relationships and giving students a chance to make valuable contacts, and learn about valuable resources. We have teleconference capability and students from all over Alaska call in to be a part of the student group as a way to bridge the connection between rural and urban areas.

What have we done?

-Mailed food boxes to families in need in rural and urban areas.

-Volunteer at Festival of Native Arts

-Christmas card making with elders from Pioneer Home and FRA Adult Center

-Clean UAF elder houses

-Annual potluck with good food and excellent speakers

-Volunteer at Family Focus youth talent show

-Volunteer as servers at the Denali Center’s annual Valentine's Day dinner.

You can! Anyone from any helping profession or anyone interested in learning more about this field!

If you have any questions you can contact:

LaVerne Demientieff at 474-6267

The club email and website is:

FBANSWA@UAF.EDU

WWW.UAF.EDU/SOCWORK/

Every other Thursday at 1pm. LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED. Hope to see you there!

Social work students have been organized in student associations since the beginning of the social work program at UAF. The Organization of Student Social Workers (OSSW) and the Alaska Native Social Work Association (ANSWA) are registered campus groups, with officers, regularly scheduled meetings, and available meeting places. The latter group helps recruit Native students for the social work program, provides service to the Alaska Native Community, and advocates for the interests and special concerns of Native students in the program. The two student organizations maintain close ties and participate in joint projects. Both groups are open to all students, including non-majors who have an interest in human service work. Faculty members serve as advisors. Activities of the student organizations include guest speakers and meetings regarding information about jobs, writing resumes, applying to graduate school, social problems, social legislation in the state, and the like. In addition, the organizations are involved in a wide variety of campus and community activities. Special projects have included such things as fundraising for the social work scholarship fund, community service projects, assistance with the Festival of Native Arts, and the collection of holiday gifts for residents of local shelters. The various activities and social functions have helped students become more familiar with the field of social work, human services and with community agencies and resources.